Summit County Dog Parks & Trails

From the lakeside trails in Dillon to doggy social hour on Main Street, enjoy the outdoors with your furry friend at one of the many dog parks and walking trails in Summit County. The area offers an array of parks ranging from off-leash creekside open space to a fully fenced park right in downtown Breckenridge and everything in between.

Breckenridge

Carter Dog Park

Carter Dog Park offers free fenced in space (close to 1 acre) for your dog to run and play in a fun, dog social environment. This park is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and is also part of Carter Park, which offers a pavilion, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, public restrooms and a multi-purpose field.

Crystal Lakes Trail

This 8-mile hike in White River National Forest is a truly beautiful hike, and dog friendly. From June to September, wildflowers will be in full bloom across the alpine meadow. Enjoyable creek
which criss-crosses the trail along the way will provide a nice cooling area and cold drink of water for your pup-friend to stay cool and hydrated. Plan a full day for this hike, and enjoy the marvelous views.

Gold Run Nordic Center

At just a small cost, enjoy the slopes in winter with your furry friend. Peabody Placer as well as Preston Loop are both intermediate, dog-friendly trails. The Gold Run Nordic Center also offers skijoring clinics where you and your pup can learn the basics at an extra charge. In addition, this center offers ice skating, sleigh rides, club house restaurant, snowshoe trails, and ski lessons.

Spruce Creek Trail/Mohawk Lake Trail

This trail offers a variety of scenery as it climbs through lodgepole, spruce and fir forests and eventually to Lower Mohawk Lake which is nestled against the mountain walls. Beyond this lake the trail continues a short distance to Upper Mohawk Lake where you can enjoy views of Mt. Helen and the rugged southern section of the Tenmile Range. Please stay on the established trail above treeline, the alpine tundra is very fragile. It is approximately a 7 mile round trip hike with 1,700 ft elevation gain.

Blue River

Blue River Bikeway

The Blue River Bikeway is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a
great place to walk Fido in Breckenridge!

McCullough Gulch

A glacial lake that lies above a series of majestic waterfalls, offers a serenity and beauty that is unsurpassed. McCullough Gulch Trail is a 2.8 mile hike in White River National Forest that will take about 2 hours to complete with Fido. 1.6 miles into this hike you will come across the turquoise Upper Blue Reservoir and the nearby falls.

Quandary

The ideal trail to let fido nab his first fourteener. Located just south of Breckenridge, with a decent hiking grade and picturesque views of the surrounding 14ers, this trail is not to be missed. 6 miles in length and the summit at over 14,000ft this trail is for the athletic!

Copper Mountain

Wheeler Lakes

Near Copper Mountain, this trail offers a steady elevation gain through aspen and pine forests. Leashed dogs welcome. Hiking trail finishes at the two Wheeler lakes, or you can continue on the Gore Range Trail up to Lost Lake.

Dillon, Keystone & Montezuma

Keystone has miles of hiking along the creeks and ski hills for you and your leashed buddy, as well there are several options for boarding and training in the area.

Chihuahua Gulch and Lake Trail

This 6.1 mile hike is part of the White River national Forest. With small ponds and a stream along the way, this is one of the more enjoyable ventures for your pup, allowing him/her to stay cool and refreshed!

Grizzly Gulch Trail

Grizzly Gulch Trail is a 4 mile hike and is located in the Arapaho National Forest. This trail is surrounded with mines along the way, both working and abandoned. Tailings, derricks and machinery will be seen along the way, leading to the Continental Divide. Expect this hike to take you and your pup about 2 hours to complete.

Old Dillon Reservoir

Built in the 1930's, the Old Dillon Reservoir was constructed to supply water to the original town of Dillon. A short hike up the hillside, will bring you to the lodgepool surrounded lake. While small in comparision to the new reservoir, Lake Dillon, it does not disaapoint in views and calm waters.

Straight Creek

This 4 mile hike travels within White River National Forest along the i-70 corridor. A 3 hour jaunt, this serene hike is usually quiet with not many other hikers. A perfect spot to get the dogs some exercise and a swim in Straight Creek.

Square Top Mountain Trail

This 6.2 mile trail will take approximately 5-6 hours to complete and is located in the Arapaho National Forest! For the duration of this trail, you and your pup will be above the timberline which will lead you to a grassy tundra. A very enjoyable trip for you, and an easy on the paw adventure for your 4 legged friend.

Frisco

Dog Classes

If you’re looking to work with your dog on obedience, tricks, exercise or how to become a better dog handler, the Town of Frisco has the programs for you!

Recreation Peninsula

This is a high use area so dogs must be on leash or voice control. There is a frisbee golf course and numerous trails to bike and hike on. The ultimate plus is the access to the reservoir for hot doggies. No swimming allowed for people.

Rainbow Lake

Park at the end of 2nd off of Main St. You will see signs in the parking area to go left towards Rainbow Lake. There are numerous water crossing (bridges for humans) and the destination is Rainbow Lake where dogs can swim and fetch sticks. Just past the lake is a stream next to the Peaks Trail. This is a nice trail but highly used by mountain bikers so use caution, especially if your dog is off leash. There are also numerous social trails around the Rainbow Lake area if you should feel the need to wander. This is a very popular local trail so be sure to be respectful of other trail users who may not have a dog with them by picking up after your pet, keeping your pet leashed if he has the tendency to be “overly friendly”, and keep the stress low on wildlife by making sure your dog doesn’t chase.

Frisco Nordic Center

You and Fido can enjoy a self-guided snowshoe adventure along the snowshoe trails or skiing on peaks 6 and 7. Just keep your pup on a leash during your winter fun. High Country Dogs also offers public skijoring lessons at Frisco Nordic Center on occasion. Hours and rates may vary by season, so please check info before planning your winter adventure!

Silverthorne

Blue River Trail

Although this is an on-leash area for the pup, it is great for a relaxing stroll for the both of you. With paved and relatively flat surface, this is a great way to enjoy the scenic views, as the trail winds through the town of Silverthorne and keeps along with the riverside.

Ptarmigan Trail

The Ptarmigan Trail is approximately 12 miles round trip if headed to the peak, and provides wonderful views of the Gore Range, Buffalo Mountain, Red Peak, The Ten Mile Range and Lake Dillon. Many enjoy this hike in the fall, but is great for both you and your 4 legged friend in the spring and summer as well. All dogs must be kept on a leash while enjoying time on this moderately rated hike.